Car truck



CAR TRUCK Filed June 11, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet Sept. 27, 1932.

c. w. SHERMAN CAR TRUCK Filed June 11, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 dual/wag S FIIII'IIIIEIII ll!!! Al'lflll i i w iii Patented Sept. 27, 1932 CLIFTON W. SHERMAN, OF HAMILTON, ONTARIO, CANADA CAR mm;

Application fi led June 11, 1930. semi No. 460,390.

This invention relates to a car truck and more particularly to the means for mounting the springs, spring planks and bolsters on the side frames and locking the bolsters in place.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a locking device for holdingthe bolster in place onthe side frames which is simpler, more durable and reliablein operation and permits of using a smaller window in the side frames, and enables the weight of the side frame to be reduced without sacrificing strength.

A further object of the invention is to improve the construction of the spring plank and the manner. of mounting the spring and to so organize the several parts of the side frames and the parts mountedthe'reon that the same can be easily assembled and disassembled.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spring assembly having a heavier capacity without increasing the size of the window opening, thereby permitting the truss or column members to be placed in their proper position, that is, as close together as possible, for the purposeof strengthening the side frame to the maximum extent. 7

In the accompanying drawings: I p

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section, of a car truck embodying my improvements.

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the same, partly in section, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a section on the correspondingly numbered line in Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the spring seats.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of the spring plank.

Figure 6 isa fragmentary vertical section taken on line 6-6, Fig. 1. v

Figure 7 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on line 77, Fig.1.,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end ofthe bolster.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the preferred form of the locking device.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective View of the columns or struts of a side frame.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of a modified form of spring plank.

1 Figure 12 is a section taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 16. v

Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspective jview of a modified form of bolster.

Figure 14 is aperspective view of a mod ified form of locking'device.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary side elevation 00 of the bolster and lock shown in Figs. 13 and 14:.

Figure 16'is a fragmentary horizontal section similar to Fig. 2 showing an. assembly of the modified form of bolster and lock 05 shown in Figs. 13, 14 and 15.

In the following description similar characters of reference indicate like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Each of theside frames of the car truck which is designed to co-operate with the spring plank, springs, I bolster and locking device in accordance with my improvements consists generally of an upper compression member or chord 20, a lower tension member 7 orchord 21connected at its opposite ends with the opposite ends of the upper compression member, brackets 22 arranged at opposite ends of the upper compression and lower tension member and adapted to receive the journal boxes for the wheel axles, and a pair of upright columns or struts 23 connecting the central parts of the upper compression and lower tension members and forming be tween them a rectangular window 24 for the reception of the springplank, spring means, bolster, locking device and associated parts.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3 the bottom 25 of the window in the side frame is provided with a. depressedseat 26 which forms upright shoulders 27, 27 at opposite ends of this seat and elevated shelves 28 adjacent to the outer sides of these shoulders. On the inner sides of the upright struts or columns of the side frame constituting the sides of the window are formed vertical guideways 29 which open toward each other.

' The numeral 30 represents the spring plank of a car truck which is preferably constructed of sheet metal bent to form a lower plate 31 m each end of which rests in the depressed seat 26 of the window of a side frame and is adapted to engage its opposite edges with the shoulders 27 when subjected to side or shearing strains, and lie with its top flush with the adjacent shelves 28, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The intermediate portion of the bottom plate 31 of the spring plank is provided at its opposite longitudinal edges with stiffening flanges 33 projecting upwardly therefrom,

which flanges terminate short of the ends of the bottom plate 31 so that only the end portions or extremities of this bottom plate project into the windows of the carside frames. On top of each end of the bottom plate 31 of the spring plank is arrangeda lower spring seat 34 which is adapted to receive the spring means mounted thereon. This spring seat is preferably interlocked with the end portion of the bottom plate of the spring plank and also with the springs, so that these parts are held against horizontal displacement relatively to each other, this being preferably accomplished by means of one or more spurs 35 which are bent downwardly from the lower spring seat 34 and engage openings 36 in the adjacent part of the bottom plate 31 of the spring plank, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, and open tubular bosses 341 extending upwardly, as shown in Fig. 4.

On its opposite longitudinal edges the lower spring seat 34 is provided with laterally projecting lugs or wings 37 which rest upon H the shelves 28 and also project into the lower parts of the openings or guideways 29 on the inner vertical sides of the window,cthereby providing a wide supporting base for the spring cushioning means.

The spring plank may be interlocked with the side frame in various ways so as to hold these members against horizontal movement relative to each other but this is preferably accomplished by one or more locking pins 32 arranged on the central part of the bottom 25 of the window and each projecting upwardly into a. locking opening 19 in the end of the, spring plank, as shown in Fig. 1.

On top of the lower spring seat 34 is mounted the spring means whereby the bolster of the car truck and the load imposed upon the same is cushioned and yieldingly supported. This spring means may be of any suitable character but in the present instance consists of 'a'plurality of helical springs 38 preferably seven in number which are arranged in a cluster and so disposed that part of the spring means is wholly within the window of the side frame while other parts thereof project beyond the front and rear sides of the same and other parts project into the guideways 29, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7.

Each of the bosses 341 on the lower spring seat projects into the lower part of one of the, helical springs 38 and holds the latter against displacement.

On top of the cluster of springs is supported one end of a bolster which projects into the upper part of the window of the side frame. This bolster may be variously constructed but in the present instance the same is generally of box-shape in cross section and provided with lower and upper horizontal walls 39, 40 and upright longitudinal walls 41 connecting the corresponding edges of the lower and upper walls 39, 40.

On its underside and adjacent to each end thereof the bolster is provided in its lower wall 39 with a recess 42 extending transversely across the bolster and arranged in the window of the adjacent side frame. Each end of this bolster is provided with means whereby the same is guided vertically on the respective side frame but held against movement in the direction of the length of the bolster or transversely to the length of the side frame.

In the preferred construction these means consist of a locking device comprising a locking bar or key 43 arranged transversely in the recess 42 on the under side of the bolster and projecting at its opposite ends into the side openings or guideways 29 on the vertical sides of the window of the truck frame. For the purpose of increasing the contact area between this locking device and the truck side frame and also interlocking the bolster with the locking bar or kev 43 in a direction lengthwise of the car frame, the opposite ends of the locking bar 43 are provided with upwardly projecting arms 44 which are arranged within the guideways 29 of the side frame and extend upwardly along opposite vertical sides of the bolster, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Adjacent to the ends of the bolster its side walls 41 are preferably'so constructed that the outer surfaces 411 of the same taper or converge downwardly and produc a construction which is substantially V-shaped in cross section, and the inner surface 441 of the arms 44 of the locking bar or key 43 converge or taper downwardly at a corresponding angle, whereby when the bolster is pressed downwardly into the locking device the same will engage each other with a wedging fit, and thereby prevent upward tilting of the locking device at either end when the spring pressure is brought against the same, and also avoiding any distortion of the level of the spring seat.

The inclined surfaces 411 on parts of the side walls 41 of the bolster produce recesses on the same which receive the inner parts of the locking arms 44 and the ends of each of these recesses form shoulders 421 which are engaged by the longitudinal sides of the respective locking arm 44, thereby additionally interlocking the locking device with the bolster in adirection lengthwise of the same and causing the bolster and side frames to be firmly tied together and still permit the bolster and side frames to move freely vertically relatively to one another.

Displacement of the elements of the spring means relative to each other and to the bolster and the underside of the locking bar is prevented by the use of a spring seat 45 which engages its upper side with the underside of the bolster and the locking bar 43 while its underside engages with the upper ends of the springs 38, as shown in Figs. land 6. Horizontal displacement of this spring seat relative to the bolster and locking bar is prevented by the use of one or more retaining spurs 46 projecting upwardly from the upper spring seat and each engaging an opening 47in the locking bar, as shown in Fig. 1. The upper spring seat 45 is provided with a plurality of downwardly projecting tubular bosses 451 each of which enters the upper end of one of the helical springs 38 and thereby holds the same in its properly spaced relation to the other springs in this cluster.

The lower and upper spring seats 34 and 45 are preferably provided with central openings 342 and 452, respectively, opposite the ends of the central spring 38 which openings are however not flanged to form bosses inasmuch as the central spring cannot become displaced due to the surrounding spring of the cluster.

This method of interlocking the spring plank and the. bolster with the side frame and maintaining the same in the proper working relation with the spring system and side frames is very simple, strong and durable, and capable of being easily assembled and disassembled.

In assembling these various elements of the truck the two side frames are first placed on the wheels and axles. Then the. spring plank is put into position. Then each of the locking devices is introduced into the window of the respective side frame which can be done by tilting the locking device sufficiently to permit opposite ends thereof to be introduced into the guideways of the window of the side frame. The bolster is now inserted into the window of one side frame from the rear or inner side thereof, which is possible by tilting the bolster sufiiciently for this purpose and after one end of thebolster is thus introduced into one of the windows the opposite end can be lowered into line with the window of the other bolster and engage therewith. Each of the locking devices is then raised in the guideways of the respective side frame and into engagement with the locking seat of the corresponding end of the bolster, after which the upper and lower spring seats are put in place and the springs inserted between them.

This assembling of the parts more or less for the purpose of taking the axles out-of the journal boxes for replacing the wheels w th new ones when they are worn can be easily accomplished by reversing the order of operations just described, and usually does not require more than lifting the bolster from the locking device, allowing frames to swing outward and clear of the axle to be removed.

It will thus be noted that the assembling and disassembling of the truck for purposes of changing wheels and axles may be accomplished with ease and facility which is an important feature in maintenance of the same.

Inasmuch as the locking bar or key which forms part of the means for attaching the bolster to the side frames of the car truck is in shear, ample provision is made for taking care of strains of this character which are developed duringthe operation of the car truck.

Moreover, the wearing surfaces between the bolster and the side frame are greatly increased due to the use of the arms on the opposite ends of the locking bar or key engaging with the vertical guideways on the sides of the window opening in the car frame. A further advantage in this construction is due to the fact that the window openings are of comparatively small size relative to the size of the bolster and spring plank which are used in connection with the side frames of the car truck, thereby permitting the use of a lighter but stronger construction for carrying agiven load.

The modified form of my improvements in car trucks shown in Figs. 12-16 is constructed as follows The numeral 48 represents pins projecting upwardly from the bottom of the window in the side frame adjacent to the front and rear sides of the same and into engagement with openings 49 in the adjacent portions of the spring plank 31, thereby interlocking this spring plank and the side frame against horizontal movement relatively to each other, both lengthwise and transversely of the truck.

Each end of the spring plank 31 is provided with laterally projecting lugs or wings 57 as shown in Fig. 11, which project into the guideways 29 of the side frame window, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 16.

In addition to interlocking the cross bar or key 43 of the bolster locking device with a transverse groove 42 in the undersideof the bolster the upwardly projecting arms 50 of this locking bar are provided with inwardly projecting locking lugs 51 which engage with vertical recesses or notches 52 in the sides of the bolster, as best shown in Fig. 16.

In theconstruction shown in. Figs. 13, 14 and 15 the side walls 41 of the bolster are vertical and the inner faces of the arms 50 of the locking bar or key engaging therewith are also vertical.

In this construction a lateral bearing surface of greater area is provided on the looking device for engagement with the sides of the frame window and the wide arms 44 of the locking device provide an increased vertical wearing surface against the guideways 29 of the side frames, thereby avoiding all wear on the external surfaces of the window of the side frame.

By providing the locking bar or block 43 on the inner side of its arms 44 with inclined upwardly diverging faces which engage with correspondingly inclined faces 411 on opposite sides of the bolster it is possible to easily release the lock bar or block from the bolster by a slight blow or jar of a hammer if the same after years of being pounded together in service tend to stick together due to the ends of the block or bar being tipped up by the sidemost springs bringing their loads to bear against the ends of the locking bar or block.

I claim as my invention:

1. A car truck comprising side frames each having a window the opposite upright sides of which are provided with vertical guide- Ways and the bottom of which has a depressed seat forming shoulders at opposite ends of I the seat and elevated shelves adjacent to said shoulders; a spring plank having its ends arranged in the seats of said frame and adapted to engage its opposite edges with said shoulders; lower wear plates resting on the ends of said spring plank and having laterally projecting lugs projecting into said guideways and resting on said shelves; spring means resting on said lower wear plates; and a bolster resting at its opposite ends on said spring means.

2. A car truck comprising a side frame having a window; spring means arranged in said window, a bolster arranged in said window and resting on said spring means and having its sides converging downwardly, and a locking device having a cross bar interposed between the underside of said bolster and said spring means and having its ends guided on the sides of said window and provided with arms projecting upwardly and having their inner sides converging downwardly and engaging with the converging outer sides of said bolster for producing a wedging engagement between the same.

3. A car truck comprising side frames each having a window the upright sides of which are provided with vertical guideways each of which has a transverse guide face and two longitudinal guide faces at opposite ends of the transverse guide face, a support for spring means arranged at the lower end of said window, spring means resting on said support, a bolster arranged in theupper part of each window and resting on the upper end of said spring means and provided on its underside with a longitudinal groove and on its opposite vertical sides with vertical grooves each of the latter forming a pair of shoulders which face each other, and guiding and locking means associated with said bolster, window and spring means and comprising a longitudinal bar arranged in said longitudinal groove of the bolster above the spring means and having upwardly projecting arms at its opposite ends each of which engages its inner transverse side with the vertical groove on the adjacent side of the bolster and is held against longitudinal movement in either direction by the shoulders of this groove while its outer transverse side engages with the transverse guide face on the respective vertical guideway of the window and its opposite longitudinal sides engage with the longitudinal guide faces of the respective vertical guideway of said window.

In testimony whereof I, hereby afiix my signature.

CLIFTON W. SHERMAN. 

